System for analyzing a filter element associated with a smoking article, and associated method

A system for analyzing a filter element of at least one of a filter rod and a smoking article, comprising:

• sensor means adapted to interact with the filter element comprising a filter material so as to determine an object insertion status with respect thereto and to generate an output signal in response, the object insertion status including one of an object presence within the filter element and an object absence from the filter element, and at least one of a proper insertion of an object into the filter element, a defective insertion of an object into the filter element, a proper object within the filter element, and a defective object within the filter element, wherein the sensor means is configured to be capable of determining the object insertion status of an object comprising at least one of a pellet, a capsule, a strand, an exchange resin bead, and an absorbent particle, inserted into the filter material of the filter element;
• analysis means in communication with the sensor means and responsive to the output signal therefrom to generate an indicia corresponding to the object insertion status,
• wherein an object absence, a defective insertion, and a defective object each correspond to a defective filter element.

A method of analyzing a filter element of at least one of a filter rod and a smoking article, comprising:

• determining an object insertion status of the filter element comprising a filter material via at least one sensor element adapted to interact therewith, and generating an output signal in response, the object insertion status including one of an object presence within the filter element and an object absence from the filter element, and at least one of a proper insertion of an object into the filter element, a defective insertion of an object into the filter element, a proper object within the filter element, and a defective object within the filter element, wherein the at least one sensor element is configured to be capable of determining the object insertion status of an object comprising at least one of a pellet, a capsule, a strand, an exchange resin bead, and an absorbent particle, inserted into the filter material of the filter element;
• generating an indicia corresponding to the object insertion status via an analysis unit in communication with the at least one sensor element and responsive to the output signal therefrom,
• wherein an object absence, a defective insertion, and a defective object each correspond to a defective filter element.